Happy Sixth Birthday, Cohen Lee

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Six Years.

This big guy is six years old today.

I remember the anticipation and excitement I felt waiting for Cohen to enter the world. It was like a ball of anxiety, uncertainty and feeling elated all rolled into one. Being a mother was a new territory for me with no expectations. It was something that I knew I was destined for and after what felt like forever, it was finally happening.

On Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 at 4:37 pm Cohen Lee Baumgartner entered the world and changed our lives forever.

We could tell he was full of life and spunk from the moment he was born. Cohen was born at top speed and has yet to slow down. He has a heart of gold and has started to learn the boundaries and limits that have been set for him. The first few years of this kid's life were rough. I'm not sure how I still have hair that isn't grey left on my head. But as soon as he hit five, Cohen turned a corner and started to grow up into a kind, gentle little man. It's the little moments that I catch him in, like rubbing Remy's back and calling her sweetie or giving his nagging sister a bite of his cookie without thinking twice. While he can be a fighter, the kid is really such a lover at heart.

Cohen has the speed of lightning when it comes to sports. Football season has been a turning part for him and he has grown tremendously as an athlete. This little glimpse of his athleticism makes me excited about my future as a football/basketball/baseball mom. His sensitivity shows, however, when things don't go as planned. Cohen is a perfectionist, like his dad, and he strives to be the best at everything. So when someone catches up with him and grabs that flag, it kills his spirit. I admire his effort at trying to be the very best, but it is a conversation I'm sure we will have to chat about in the future.

Cohen is my first baby, the lonely boy and the only child that I can say officially turned me into a parent. I struggle with the fact that he is six because in the back of my mind, he is still that little chunky baby with the mohawk. As cliche as it sounds, I truly did blink and he grew up right before my eyes. My oldest baby is six. SIX. That's one whole hand plus another finger. While I know he's more than ready for this experience of life, I'm not so sure I am and want to hold him down, rather than letting him fly.

But I won't. I promise not to be that helicopter mom. Well, not too much at least.

****
Cohen Lee,
On your sixth birthday here are the six things I wish for you:

1. Never stop laughing
Don't sweat the small stuff and when in doubt, laugh. Because your laugh is infectious and sweet and it proves you won't take everything so seriously.

2. You don't have to be perfect.
You can strive to be the best, but there are times when you will fall. That's okay. Just get up, brush off your knees and try it again.

3. Love hard
Your heart is golden and there is always room for plenty of love.

4. Experience new things
Look for new adventures and test them out -- but make sure you are being safe! (I have to say that. I'm your mom.)

5. Kindness is cool
Be kind to others and make friends with all. Remember how you felt when people didn't want to play with you or be your friend. You can be that role model - show others how good kindness looks.

6. Dream Big
Dream as big as you can and stretch as high as possible to reach those dreams. You are unstoppable!

I love you to the moon, sun and stars and back. But I'm sure you will find a way to beat that one.

I'm Kait, the mom to three of the cutest kids you have ever seen, Cohen, Lola and Remy. I love all things pink, iced coffee and a good run outside. When I grow up I want to be Kate Middleton or on a season of The Real Housewives. And if that doesn't work out, I'm okay playing mom to my littles in my suburban Indiana home.